December 23, 2015

Guests: Debbie Cornwall, Manager of information, and Student Services Management at George Brown College, discusses how her career commenced, and her current role as a Manager at GBC.
Rebecca Brettingham-Filice, Owner of Dance Extreme, and Vice President of Dance Masters of Canada, discusses elements, and techniques for success in entrepreneurship.

Host Nicole Hamilton, interviews Actors David Wilson, and Veshone Cunningham, in a discussion that covers the birth of their onstage careers, and current screen projects. What does it take to become an Actor, and what challenges can be faced along the way? The Actors share their experiences, and suggestions for those wishing to enter into the field.

December 16, 2015

Sure, engineers have great technical skills but how do you empower the whole engineer to maximize their potential and contribution? The Institute for Leadership Education in Engineering (ILead) does just that with “transformative learning opportunities” including for-credit courses like Concepts and Applications of Authentic Leadership and a course I’ve been honoured to teach, Engineering Careers – Theories and Strategies to Manage your Career for the Future.

To explain how it works, and share their own fascinating career stories, we’ll be joined by ILead team members; Assistant Director, Annie Simpson, and Leadership Education Specialists, Jordan Daniow and Albert Huynh. Please tune in!

How did Yollanda Zhang know to quit her engineering job at GE and become a teacher? Already questioning the purpose of her work, she was on a flight sitting next to a Catholic priest who also was formerly an engineer. He told Yollanda about hearing stories of life and career regrets from his parishioners. “It was a sign,” Yollanda told Career Buzz listeners (Nov. 11, 2015).

But still she wasn’t sure. “I’ve always loved teaching,” Yollanda said. Then, at an info session for the B.Ed. program at U of Toronto, another sign. With hundreds of people in the room already, Yollanda sits in one of the few remaining seats, to find sitting next to her, “another Yollanda, not a common name, and also a female engineer deciding to quit her job to become a teacher.” This sign clinched it. Both Yollandas resigned from their jobs and became teachers. “We’re both happy in our career and have never looked back.”

How do the clues apply to you? If you’re in a career quandary, be inspired by Yollanda’s stories of noticing signs and clues – then taking inspired action. The next clue Yollanda followed was the demand for Mandarin language skills. She took inspired action to transfer her teaching skills and founded Mandarin language school, Panda Mandarin.

If you’re trying to figure out which signs and clues to follow, get started with an Exploratory Consultation with CareerCycles.

Thank you to everyone who donated to the CIUT Fall Membership campaign! Hear the whole interview also featuring powerful moments from Career Buzz over the past six months and a special call with Career Crafting author, Cathy Campbell.